Sloan, Melvin Raye: Captain (Military Cross)

Digitized Service Record

Source: Mentioned in War Diary wounding with Lt. MacDonald at Lens.

Military Cross

After all the officers of one company had become casualties he took command and reorganized the men, and maintained his very exposed position with great determination, till relieved. His gallantry and devotion to duty were an example that inspired his men.
London Gazette. No. 31119. Page not known.

Source: “Summary Report of Hill 70 Action August 14 to 18, 1917”. 18^th Battalion Canadian War Diary. August 1917.

16^th Aug.

C & D in Front Line.
A Co in Tunnel  B Co at

Lt Dougal & patrol of “C” Co men (Sgt. Routley and others) went to ALOOF trench about noon. Reported enemy defences strongly held and were fired on from different points. 2 of party being killed, 2 wounded. Finding themselves nearly surrounded they sent up SOS and returned behind it protection. An Officer’s patrol of Lt Dougall, McDonald & Sloane on returning from patrol had Mills grenade thrown at the by a man in “C” Co outpost killing Lt. McDonald [MacDonald] and wounding Lt. Sloan in hand.[i]

[i] This is the first instance of a recorded friendly fire incident in the War Diary.

010445-25 Melvin Raye SLOAN, 29, Foreman Automobile Industry, Chatham, Walkerville, s/o Samuel SLOAN (b. Canada) & Mary Jane LANEY; married Phyllis THORBURN, 25, Bookkeeper, Windsor, Walkerville, d/o William THORBURN (b. Canada) & Margaret BENNETT; wit Samuel Gordon SLOAN, Chatham & Elizabeth T. BLACKMOND, Detroit, 5 Aug 1925, Walkerville.

Source